Using Aperture With External HDD

I have a MBA and would to use Aperture via an external HDD. Anyone currently using an external HDD as their primary storage device for photos with or without an MBA? Also, does Aperture work and play well with other photo management software like Picasa. What I mean is will Aperture rearrange/rename/modify the original photos? I don't want to switch from what I use now until I am sure -- thus the need for Aperture to leave my originals as is. I can make a copy of all of some of the photos if need be until I am sure I want to switch to Aperture. Thanks for your input.

I have a MBA and would to use Aperture via an external HDD. Anyone currently using an external HDD as their primary storage device for photos with or without an MBA? Also, does Aperture work and play well with other photo management software like Picasa. What I mean is will Aperture rearrange/rename/modify the original photos? I don't want to switch from what I use now until I am sure -- thus the need for Aperture to leave my originals as is. I can make a copy of all of some of the photos if need be until I am sure I want to switch to Aperture. Thanks for your input.

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I've thinking of converting over to Aperture too. I made a new user login account. Call it "test". Then when yo log in a the user "test" you have an independent setup and whatever preferences you set up will apply just to that user.

I've found that you don't want to just jump on Aperture before you are up to speed on it. Go through the video tutorials on the Apple.com web site and read the user manual (Yea I know 700+ pages...) DO all this as user "test"

Thanks for the input. There are a few specific features I like on Aperture. I downloaded the trial version and so far it seems fairly responsive. I have been using a copy of photos from my recent trip to Ireland -- about 1,000 pics -- and once loaded the performance is pretty good. I haven't done anything to intense yet though.

I guess i m looking for the cataloging and adjustment abilities in Aperture -- if it was just cataloging alone I could probably get away with iPhoto or continue using Picasa and then move specific pics to iPhoto for Album creation.

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